Program Overview

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M.S. in Skin Biology and Dermatological Sciences (Hybrid)

The M.S. in Skin Biology and Dermatological Sciences (Hybrid) program is designed to foster future generations of skin scientists, physician scientists, and industrial leaders in skin sciences, skin care, as well as skin-related drug and device development.

Mission

Our mission is to train Master's students in a focused knowledge area of Skin Biology and Dermatological Science, and to train Master's students in requisite research and research management skills.

Goals

In alignment with the university's strategic vision, the goals of the program are:

• Train Master's students in a focused knowledge area of Skin Biology and Dermatological Science.
• Train Master's students in requisite research and research management skills.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate advanced knowledge of the fundamentals of skin biology.
• Students will demonstrate advanced knowledge of dermatological science and disorders.
• Students will demonstrate advanced knowledge of innovation, technology, and regulations in the field of Skin Biology.

Admission Requirements

1. A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution must be conferred before the intended start date.
2. A cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above is required for candidates with bachelor’s or Master’s degrees. GPA is not required for candidates with MD or PhD degree.
3. A GRE general test or MCAT score is highly recommended but not required. The test will be waived for candidates with MD or PhD degree.
4. English proficiency requirement: Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL score of 80 for the internet-based test (iBT), or 550 for the paper-based test (PBT); or 6.5 on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is required for those candidates who graduated from foreign institutes.
5. A personal statement, including past experience and future career goals, is required as part of the application.
6. Three to five letters of recommendation from research or clinical mentors or teachers.

Curriculum Requirements Non-Thesis Track

The following courses are required:

• DER 600: Cutaneous Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Genetics (0-3 credits)
• DER 601: Introduction to Dermatology (1 credit)
• DER 603: Skin Biology and Pathophysiology (3 credits)
• DER 605: Microbiology and Immunology of the Skin (3 credits)
• DER 606: Dermato-epidemiology (2 credits)
• DER 607: Dermatopharmacology (2 credits)
• DER 608: Photobiology and Photomedicine (1 credit)
• DER 609: Skin Carcinogenesis (2 credits)
• DER 610: Clinical Skin Diseases (2 credits)
• DER 611: Visualizing the Skin (2 credits)
• DER 612: Grant Writing (1 credit)
• DER 613: Techniques in Skin Research (1 credit)
• DER 614: Innovation in Dermatology (1 credit)
• DER 615: Dermatology Health Care Delivery (1 credit)
• DER 622: Introduction to Dermatopathology (1 credit)
• DER 623: Techniques in Skin Research- II (1 credit)
• DER 631: Advances in Dermatology (1 credit)
• DER 632: Advances in Dermatology (1 credit)
• DER 633: Advances in Dermatology (1 credit)
• DER 641: Frontiers in Sciences (1 credit)
• DER 642: Frontiers in Sciences (1 credit)
• DER 643: Frontiers in Sciences (1 credit)

Total Credit Hours: 30-33

Curriculum Requirements Thesis Track

The following courses are required:

• DER 600: Cutaneous Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Genetics (0-3 credits)
• DER 601: Introduction to Dermatology (1 credit)
• DER 603: Skin Biology and Pathophysiology (3 credits)
• DER 605: Microbiology and Immunology of the Skin (3 credits)
• DER 606: Dermato-epidemiology (2 credits)
• DER 607: Dermatopharmacology (2 credits)
• DER 608: Photobiology and Photomedicine (1 credit)
• DER 609: Skin Carcinogenesis (2 credits)
• DER 610: Clinical Skin Diseases (2 credits)
• DER 611: Visualizing the Skin (2 credits)
• DER 612: Grant Writing (1 credit)
• DER 613: Techniques in Skin Research (1 credit)
• DER 614: Innovation in Dermatology (1 credit)
• DER 615: Dermatology Health Care Delivery (1 credit)
• DER 622: Introduction to Dermatopathology (1 credit)
• DER 623: Techniques in Skin Research- II (1 credit)
• DER 631: Advances in Dermatology (1 credit)
• DER 632: Advances in Dermatology (1 credit)
• DER 633: Advances in Dermatology (1 credit)
• DER 641: Frontiers in Sciences (1 credit)
• DER 642: Frontiers in Sciences (1 credit)
• DER 643: Frontiers in Sciences (1 credit)
• Research Rotation (1 credit)
• DER 808: Research Thesis (6-7 credits)

Total Credit Hours: 37-41

Plan of Study (Non-Thesis Track)

The plan of study for the non-thesis track is as follows:

• Year One:
  • Fall: DER 601, DER 603, DER 605, DER 606, DER 631, DER 641 (11 credits)
  • Spring: DER 607, DER 608, DER 609, DER 610, DER 613, DER 622, DER 632, DER 642 (11 credits)
  • Summer: DER 611, DER 612, DER 614, DER 615, DER 623, DER 633, DER 643 (8 credits)
• Total Credit Hours: 30

Plan of Study (Thesis Track)

The plan of study for the thesis track is as follows:

• Year One:
  • Fall: DER 601, DER 603, DER 605, DER 606, DER 631, DER 641, DER 808 (12 credits)
  • Spring: DER 607, DER 608, DER 609, DER 610, DER 613, DER 622, DER 632, DER 642, DER 808 (12 credits)
  • Summer: DER 611, DER 612, DER 614, DER 615, DER 623, DER 633, DER 643, DER 663, DER 808 (10 credits)
• Year Two:
  • Fall: DER 808 (1 credit)
  • Spring: DER 808 (1 credit)
  • Summer: DER 808 (1 credit)
• Total Credit Hours: 37

Course Descriptions

DER 600: Cutaneous Biochemistry, Cell Biology, and Genetics

This course provides students with a fundamental understanding of the genes, structure, and functions of human skin. The course covers comprehensive discussions of related topics, such as cellular and molecular structure of the skin, genes and gene regulation, biochemical reactions, metabolism, and genetic processes.

DER 601: Introduction to Dermatology

The aim of this course is to familiarize participants with the basic subject of dermatology and the most common terminology. Students will be introduced to the subject of dermatology, subspecialties in dermatology, structure of the skin, and examples of the most common dermatological conditions.

DER 603: Skin Biology and Pathophysiology

This course helps students understand the fundamental concepts of skin biology and pathophysiology. The course covers biology of major skin cell types, skin metabolism, skin appendages, skin matrix, cutaneous vasculature, neuroendocrine system, and major processes required for cutaneous barrier function during normal and pathophysiological states.

DER 605: Microbiology and Immunology of the Skin

This course covers skin microbiota and immune components of the skin in healthy and disordered states. The microbiology will cover bacterial species that cause most common skin infections.

DER 606: Dermato-epidemiology

Students will be introduced to the emerging discipline in skin epidemiology or Dermatoepidemiology, to obtain an overview of incidence rates and time trends of skin disorders in the US and in the world.

DER 607: Dermatopharmacology

This course familiarizes students with the mechanisms of drug action, FDA-indications, off-label uses, safety and efficacy, side effects, and necessary monitoring and important drug interactions relevant to topical and systemic medications used in dermatology.

DER 608: Photobiology and Photomedicine

This course explores the fundamental concepts of photobiology, phototherapy, and laser/light-based medicine as they relate to skin biology and dermatology.

DER 609: Skin Carcinogenesis

This course considers the etiology, pathophysiology, epidemiology, types, prognosis, and various treatment of the most common types of skin cancers.

DER 610: Clinical Skin Diseases

This course gives students a clinical overview of the common skin disorders encountered by society. It discusses the most common skin diseases with an emphasis on pathogenesis and current research.

DER 611: Visualizing the Skin

This course covers basic and advanced techniques of visual examination and digital photography of the skin and hair.

DER 612: Grant Writing

The course presents approaches and important aspects of preparation of some major grant applications to including government funding from National Institute of Health (NIH).

DER 613: Techniques in Skin Research

This course will cover different areas of research techniques employed in studying skin biology/pathophysiology.

DER 614: Innovation in Dermatology

The aim of this course is to familiarize the participants with the tools of innovation.

DER 615: Dermatology Health Care Delivery

This course prepares students for positions of leadership in skin care and skin health-related industries and organizations.

DER 622: Introduction to Dermatopathology

This course is the continuation of the course DER 603 Skin Biology and Pathophysiology. The aim of the course is to give students a general introduction to clinical histopathology in common skin disorders.

DER 623: Techniques in Skin Research- II

This course is the continuation of the course DER 613 Techniques in Skin Research-I.

DER 631: Advances in Dermatology

This hour-long seminar course is held in conjunction with Dermatology Grand Rounds.

DER 632: Advances in Dermatology

This hour-long seminar course is held in conjunction with Dermatology Grand Rounds.

DER 633: Advances in Dermatology

This hour-long seminar course is held in conjunction with Dermatology Grand Rounds.

DER 641: Frontiers in Sciences

This course will be in conjunction with Dermatology Journal Clubs.

DER 642: Frontiers in Sciences

This course will be in conjunction with Dermatology Journal Clubs.

DER 643: Frontiers in Sciences

This course will be in conjunction with Dermatology Journal Clubs.

DER 661: Research Rotation

This elective course will be offered in all three semesters in the first year.

DER 662: Research Rotation

This elective course will be offered in all three semesters in the first year.

DER 663: Research Rotation

This elective course will be offered in all three semesters in the first year.

DER 670: Dermatology Clinical Shadowing

This course will consist of shadowing with a clinical faculty dermatologist in clinics in the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery at the University of Miami.

DER 808: Research Thesis

Students on the Research Thesis track are required to complete 6 research thesis credits. Students are required to conduct thesis research on campus in person in the research laboratories with faculty mentors in the Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery.